U.S. patent application number 12/511141 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-21 for crossbow support rod.
Invention is credited to Richard L. Bednar.
Application Number | 20100012107 12/511141 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37892359 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100012107 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bednar; Richard L. |
January 21, 2010 |
Crossbow Support Rod
Abstract
A weapon, such as a crossbow or firearm, may have a main beam, a
trigger mechanism mounted to the main beam and, a support rod that
can be positioned into a first use position and a second stowed
position. The support rod may have a first end used to support the
main beam and a second end used to contact a ground surface. In one
embodiment, a contact member with a hemispherical contact surface
is attached to the second end of the support rod. In another
embodiment, the support rod has a handgrip portion that receives a
user's hand in supporting the weapon when shooting the weapon when
the support rod is in the second stowed position. In still another
embodiment, a mounting bracket is used to provide at least two
locations for attaching the support rod to the main beam.
Inventors: |
Bednar; Richard L.; (Monroe
Falls, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BROUSE MCDOWELL LPA
388 SOUTH MAIN STREET, SUITE 500
AKRON
OH
44311
US
|
Family ID: |
37892359 |
Appl. No.: |
12/511141 |
Filed: |
July 29, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11424134 |
Jun 14, 2006 |
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12511141 |
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60690434 |
Jun 14, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
124/25 ; 124/89;
42/94 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41B 5/123 20130101;
F41A 23/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
124/25 ; 124/89;
42/94 |
International
Class: |
F41B 5/12 20060101
F41B005/12; F41B 5/20 20060101 F41B005/20 |
Claims
1. A crossbow comprising: a main beam having a first portion and a
second portion; a bow assembly mounted to the first portion of the
main beam and adapted to propel an arrow, the bow assembly
comprising: (a) a bow; and, (b) a bowstring attached to the bow; a
trigger mechanism mounted to the second portion of the main beam; a
support rod that is selectively positionable into a first use
position and a second stowed position, the support rod comprising:
(a) a first end pivotally attached to the first portion of the main
beam; (b) a second end having a contact member with a hemispherical
contact surface that is adapted to (1) cushion the crossbow against
a user's body when the support rod is in the first use position;
and, (2) grip a ground surface when the support rod is in the first
use position; and, (c) a handgrip portion adapted to receive a
user's hand in supporting the crossbow for shooting the crossbow
when the support rod is in the second stowed position; and, a
securing mechanism that selectively secures the support rod to the
main beam when the support rod is in the second stowed
position.
2. The crossbow of claim 1 wherein the contact member is
spherical.
3. The crossbow of claim 1 wherein the contact member is
selectively removable from the support rod.
4. The crossbow of claim 1 wherein the contact member is formed
substantially of an elastomeric material.
5. The crossbow of claim 1 further comprising: at least one spike
member extending outward from the contact surface.
6. The crossbow of claim 1 further comprising: a ball joint mount
having a first end operatively connected to the first portion of
the main beam and a second end operatively connected to the first
end of the support rod.
7. The crossbow of claim 1 wherein the first end of the support rod
comprises: a quick attach member for use in selectively attaching
the support rod to the crossbow and selectively detaching the
support rod from the crossbow.
8. The crossbow of claim 1 wherein the support rod is a telescoping
two section monopod.
9. The crossbow of claim 1 wherein the handgrip portion comprises:
a resilient material attached to the support rod.
10. The crossbow of claim 1 wherein the securing mechanism
comprises: a clip that is substantially U-shaped having a
mid-section and a pair of legs, the mid-section receiving a segment
of the main beam and the pair of legs selectively receiving the
second end of the support rod.
11. A weapon comprising: a main beam having a first portion and a
second portion; a trigger mechanism mounted to the second portion
of the main beam; and, a support rod that is selectively
positionable into a first use position and a second stowed
position, the support rod comprising: (a) a first end adapted to
support the first portion of the main beam; and, (b) a second end
having a contact member with a hemispherical contact surface that
is adapted to (1) cushion the weapon against a user's body when the
support rod is in the first use position; and, (2) grip a ground
surface when the support rod is in the first use position, wherein
the contact member is selectively removable from the support
rod.
12. The weapon of claim 11 wherein the contact member is formed
substantially of an elastomeric material.
13. The weapon of claim 11 wherein the contact member is formed
substantially of a rubber ball.
14. A weapon comprising: a main beam having a first portion and a
second portion; a trigger mechanism mounted to the second portion
of the main beam; and, a support rod that is selectively
positionable into a first use position and a second stowed
position, the support rod comprising: (a) a first end adapted to
support the first portion of the main beam; (b) a second end having
a contact surface adapted to contact a ground surface when the
support rod is in the first use position; and, (c) a handgrip
portion adapted to receive a user's hand in supporting the weapon
for shooting the weapon when the support rod is in the second
stowed position.
15. The weapon of claim 14 wherein the weapon is a firearm adapted
to fire a bullet.
16. The weapon of claim 14 wherein the weapon is a crossbow further
comprising: a bow assembly mounted to the first portion of the main
beam and adapted to propel an arrow, the bow assembly comprising:
(a) a bow; and, (b) a bowstring attached to the bow.
17. The weapon of claim 14 wherein the handgrip portion comprises:
a resilient material attached to the support rod.
18. The weapon of claim 17 wherein the handgrip resilient material
covers the outer surface of the handgrip portion of the support
rod.
19. The weapon of claim 14 further comprising: a securing mechanism
that selectively secures the support rod to the main beam when the
support rod is in the second stowed position.
20. The weapon of claim 19 wherein the securing mechanism
comprises: a clip having a first end attached to the main beam and
a second end that releasably receives the second end of the support
rod.
21. The weapon of claim 20 wherein the clip is substantially
U-shaped having a mid-section and a pair of legs, the mid-section
receiving a segment of the main beam and the pair of legs
selectively receiving the second end of the support rod.
22. The weapon of claim 14 wherein the first end of the support rod
is pivotably connected to the first portion of the main beam.
23. The weapon of claim 14 further comprising: a ball joint mount
having a first end operatively connected to the first portion of
the main beam and a second end operatively connected to the first
end of the support rod.
24. The weapon of claim 14 wherein the first end of the support rod
comprises: a quick attach member for use in selectively attaching
the support rod to the main beam and selectively detaching the
support rod from the mainbeam.
25. The weapon of claim 14 wherein the support rod is a telescoping
two section monopod.
26. A weapon comprising: a main beam having a first portion and a
second portion; a trigger mechanism mounted to the second portion
of the main beam; a mounting bracket attached to the first portion
of the main beam and having first and second connection locations;
and, a support rod that is selectively positionable into a first
use position and a second stowed position, the support rod
comprising: (a) a first end adapted to support the first portion of
the main beam at either the first or second connection locations;
and, (b) a second end having a contact surface adapted to contact a
ground surface when the support rod is in the first use
position.
27. The weapon of claim 26 wherein the weapon is a crossbow further
comprising: a bow assembly mounted to the first portion of the main
beam and adapted to propel an arrow, the bow assembly comprising:
(a) a bow; and, (b) a bowstring attached to the bow.
28. The weapon of claim 26 wherein the mounting bracket has third
and fourth connection locations, the crossbow further comprising: a
sling swivel stud that is selectively positionable at either the
third or fourth connection locations.
29. The weapon of claim 26 wherein the first connection location
comprises a first opening, the weapon further comprising: a ball
joint mount having a first end comprising a shaft and a second end
comprising a spherical portion, the shaft being operatively
connectable to the first opening and the second end being
operatively connected to the first end of the support rod.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Ser. No.
11/424,134, titled Crossbow Support Rod, filed Jun. 14, 2006, which
is incorporated herein by reference, which claims priority from a
provisional patent application, U.S. Ser. No. 60/690,434, titled
CROSSBOW POD SYSTEM, filed Jun. 14, 2005, which provisional
application is incorporated herein by reference.
I. Background of the Invention
[0002] A. Field of Invention
[0003] This invention relates to the art of methods and apparatus
for support rods that support equipment during use and more
specifically to methods and apparatus for support rods that support
weapons such as firearms and crossbows.
[0004] B. Description of the Related Art
[0005] It is known in the art to provide various types of supports
for firearms and crossbows. In general these supports are used to
relieve the user from having to hold up the entire load of the
weapon. Such supports are especially useful when the user needs to
maintain the weapon in a "ready to shoot" position while waiting
for game. Monopod, bipod and tripod designs are all known and used.
While such known weapon supports may work well for their intended
purpose, they have limitations and thus improvements would be well
received by hunters and others who use weapons.
[0006] One desirable improvement would be a weapon support that can
be used both to support the weapon against a user's body and
against a tree stand or other such ground surface. Another
desirable improvement would be a weapon support that can be held by
the user for shooting the weapon while the support is in a stowed
position. Still another desirable improvement would be a weapon
support that can easily be adjusted to support the weapon at
different locations and/or with different support components.
[0007] Examples of known weapon supports are provided in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,194,678 (a support that attaches to the sling swivel of a
rifle), U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,147 (a support head for a rifle monopod
support), U.S. Pat. No. 5,903,995 (a monopod that permits a rifle
to swivel), U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,466 (a rifle support that can be
supported on the user's body), and U.S. Pat. No. 6,843,015 (a bipod
that supports a rifle). None of these devices, however, provide the
improvements noted above and discussed further below.
II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] According to one embodiment of this invention, a crossbow
includes: I. a main beam having a first portion and a second
portion; II. a bow assembly mounted to the first portion of the
main beam and adapted to propel an arrow, the bow assembly
including: (a) a bow; and, (b) a bowstring attached to the bow;
III. a trigger mechanism mounted to the second portion of the main
beam; IV. a support rod that is selectively positionable into a
first use position and a second stowed position, the support rod
including: (a) a first end pivotally attached to the first portion
of the main beam; (b) a second end having a contact member with a
hemispherical contact surface that is adapted to (1) cushion the
crossbow against a user's body when the support rod is in the first
use position; and, (2) grip a ground surface when the support rod
is in the first use position; and, (c) a handgrip portion adapted
to receive a user's hand in supporting the crossbow for shooting
the crossbow when the support rod is in the second stowed position;
and, V. a securing mechanism that selectively secures the support
rod to the main beam when the support rod is in the second stowed
position.
[0009] According to another embodiment of this invention, a weapon
includes: I. a main beam having a first portion and a second
portion; II. a trigger mechanism mounted to the second portion of
the main beam; and, III. a support rod that is selectively
positionable into a first use position and a second stowed
position, the support rod including: (a) a first end adapted to
support the first portion of the main beam; and, (b) a second end
having a contact member with a hemispherical contact surface that
is adapted to (1) cushion the weapon against a user's body when the
support rod is in the first use position; and, (2) grip a ground
surface when the support rod is in the first use position.
[0010] According to another embodiment of this invention, a weapon
includes: I. a main beam having a first portion and a second
portion; II. a trigger mechanism mounted to the second portion of
the main beam; and, III. a support rod that is selectively
positionable into a first use position and a second stowed
position, the support rod including: (a) a first end adapted to
support the first portion of the main beam; (b) a second end having
a contact surface adapted to contact a ground surface when the
support rod is in the first use position; and, (c) a handgrip
portion adapted to receive a user's hand in supporting the weapon
for shooting the weapon when the support rod is in the second
stowed position.
[0011] According to yet another embodiment of this invention, a
weapon includes: I. a main beam having a first portion and a second
portion; II. a trigger mechanism mounted to the second portion of
the main beam; III. a mounting bracket attached to the first
portion of the main beam and having first and second connection
locations; and, IV. a support rod that is selectively positionable
into a first use position and a second stowed position, the support
rod including: (a) a first end adapted to support the first portion
of the main beam at either the first or second connection
locations; and, (b) a second end having a contact surface adapted
to contact a ground surface when the support rod is in the first
use position.
[0012] One advantage of this invention is that the support rod can
be used both to support a weapon against a user's body and also
used to support the weapon against a ground surface.
[0013] Another advantage of this invention is that the support rod
can be held by the user for shooting the weapon while the support
rod is in a stowed position.
[0014] Still another advantage of this invention is that the weapon
support mechanism can be easily adjusted to support the weapon at
different locations and/or with different support components.
[0015] Still other benefits and advantages of the invention will
become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains
upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed
specification.
II. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The invention may take physical form in certain parts and
arrangement of parts, various embodiments of which will be
described in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a crossbow equipped with a
support rod according to certain embodiments of this invention.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a firearm equipped with a
support rod according to certain embodiments of this invention.
[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates the placement of the support rod against
a user's body.
[0020] FIG. 4 illustrates the placement of the support rod against
a tree stand.
[0021] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the support rod equipped with
a ball joint mount.
[0022] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a third pole member that may
be used to extend the length of the support rod.
[0023] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a V-shaped support member
that may be used to support a weapon.
[0024] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a quick attach member that
may be used to provide a very quick method of attaching and
detaching the support rod.
[0025] FIG. 8A is an assembly drawing of the quick attach member
shown in FIG. 8.
[0026] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a clip that may be used to
secure the support rod in the stowed position.
[0027] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a mounting bracket that may
be used to provide at least two locations for attaching the support
rod to the weapon.
IV. DEFINITIONS
[0028] The following definitions are controlling for the disclosed
invention:
[0029] "Arrow" means a projectile that is shot with (or launched
by) a bow assembly.
[0030] "Bipod" means a support device using two support rods.
[0031] "Bow" means a bent, curved, or arched object.
[0032] "Bow Assembly" means a weapon comprising a bow and a
bowstring that shoots or propels arrows powered by the elasticity
of the bow and the drawn bowstring.
[0033] "Bowstring" means a string or cable attached to a bow.
[0034] "Bullet" means a projectile that is fired from a fire
arm.
[0035] "Carbide" means a hard material made of compacted binary
compounds of carbon and heavy metals.
[0036] "Compound Bow" means a crossbow that has pulleys or cams at
each end of the bow through which the bowstring passes.
[0037] "Crossbow" means a weapon comprising a bow assembly and a
trigger mechanism both mounted to a main beam.
[0038] "Draw Weight" means the amount of force required to draw or
pull the bowstring on a crossbow into a cocked condition.
[0039] "Elastomeric Material" means any substance having the
elastic properties of natural rubber.
[0040] "Firearm" means a weapon comprising a trigger mechanism
mounted to a main beam, including a pistol or rifle, which shoots
or fires bullets.
[0041] "Ground Surface" means any solid surface upon which a weapon
may be supported including a tree stand and the earth.
[0042] "Hemispherical" means a shape substantially like one half of
a sphere.
[0043] "Main Beam" means the longitudinal structural member of a
weapon used to support the trigger mechanism and often other
components as well. For crossbows, the main beam also supports the
bow assembly. The main beam often comprises a stock member, held by
the person using the weapon, and a barrel, used to guide the
projectile being shot or fired by the weapon.
[0044] "Monopod" means a support device using a single support
rod.
[0045] "Spherical" means a shape substantially like a sphere.
[0046] "Trigger Mechanism" means the portion of a weapon that
shoots, fires or releases the projectile of a weapon. As applied to
crossbows, trigger mechanism means any device that holds the
bowstring of a crossbow in the drawn or cocked condition and which
can thereafter be operated to release the bowstring out of the
drawn condition to shoot an arrow. As applied to firearms, trigger
mechanism means any device capable of firing a bullet using an
explosive charge as a propellant.
[0047] "Tripod" means a support device using three support
rods.
[0048] "Weapon" means any device used in fighting or hunting that
shoots or fires a projectile including firearms, bow assemblies and
crossbows.
V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0049] Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for
purposes of illustrating embodiments of the invention only and not
for purposes of limiting the same, FIGS. 1 and 2 each show a weapon
5 equipped with a support rod 22 according to certain embodiments
of this invention. The weapon 5 shown in FIG. 1 is a crossbow 10,
in particular a compound bow, and the weapon 5 shown in FIG. 2 is a
firearm 100, in particular a rifle, though it should be understood
that this invention will work with other types of weapons as well.
Both the crossbow 10 and the firearm 100 have a main beam 15 with a
stock member 16 and a barrel member 14. Each main beam 15 has a
first portion 17 and a second portion 19. A trigger mechanism 21,
suitable for shooting an arrow or bullet as required, is mounted to
the second portion 19 of the main beam 15. A bow assembly 13 is
mounted to the first portion 17 of the main beam 15 of the crossbow
10. The bow assembly 13 includes a bow 9 having a pair of limbs 12,
12 and a bowstring 20 attached to the limbs 12, 12. An arrow 18 is
supported on the barrel member 14 in the ready to shoot position.
Other weapon components well known to those of skill in the art,
such as a scope 3 and one or more sling swivel studs 2 may be
optionally used with the weapon 5 without departure from this
invention. As the basic operation of crossbows and firearms are
well known, details of their operation will not be described.
[0050] With continuing reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the support rod
22 has first and second ends 25, 27 and is selectively positionable
into a first use position, shown in dashed lines, and a second
stowed position, shown in solid lines. Other examples of the first
use position are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In FIG. 3 the second end
27 of the support rod 22 is supported against the user's body 6 and
in FIG. 4 the second end 27 of the support rod 22 is supported
against a tree stand 8. In another embodiment the second stowed
position is accomplished by completely separating the support rod
22 from the weapon 5. This will be discussed further below.
[0051] With reference now to FIGS. 1-2 and 5-6, the support rod 22
used with this invention can be any type chosen with sound
engineering judgment. In one embodiment, shown, the support rod 22
is a telescoping two section monopod made by Stoney Point Products,
Inc., of New Ulm, Minnesota under the trademark Posi-Lock
System.TM. and made according to U.S. Pat. No. 6,027,087 titled
RELEASABLY RETAINING TELESCOPING TUBING SEGMENTS (the '087 patent)
which patent is incorporated herein by reference. The support rod
22 may be telescopic with an outer cylindrical pole member 40 and
an inner cylindrical pole member 42 assembled to slide within and
relative to the pole member 40. The pole members 40, 42 may be
locked into relative position as described in the '087 patent
though other locking methods chosen with sound engineering judgment
may also be used. In this way, the overall length of the support
rod 22 can be adjusted according to the user's need. In another
embodiment, the length of the support rod 22 can be extended beyond
the length of pole members 40, 42 by the addition of a third pole
member 48 show in FIG. 6. The use of a third pole member is
especially useful when the user wants to maintain a standing
position while waiting for game. The third pole member 48 can be
added according to the '087 patent or according to other methods
chosen with sound engineering judgment. While the support rod 22
shown is used as a monopod, it should be understood that the
support rod 22 of this invention would also work with other weapon
support mechanisms including bipod and tripod devices. In another
embodiment, the support rod 22 may be used as a walking stick when
detached from the weapon 5.
[0052] With reference now to FIGS. 1-2, and 5, the first end 25 of
the support rod 22 is adapted to support the first portion 17 of
the main beam 15. In one embodiment, shown for example in FIG. 1,
the first end 25 of the support rod 22 is pivotally attached to the
main beam 15. This pivotal attachment may be accomplished with a
ball joint mount 23 having a first end 31 operatively connected to
the main beam 15 and a second end 33 operatively connected to the
first end 25 of the support rod 22. In one specific embodiment, the
first end 31 may comprise a shaft 34 that is fixedly received in
the main beam 15 and the second end 33 may comprise a spherical
portion 32 that is rotatably received in a socket 30 formed at the
first end first end 25 of the support rod 22. This arrangement
permits the main beam 15 of the weapon 5 to be easily moved by
rotation; barrel member 14 aimed upward, barrel member 14 aimed
downward and barrel member 14 aimed side to side, as desired. In a
more specific embodiment, the shaft 34 of the ball joint mount 23
may have threads that are received in the threads formed in the
main beam 15 that are exposed when a sling swivel stud 2 attached
to the first portion 17 of the main beam 15 is removed.
[0053] With reference now to FIGS. 1-2, 5 and 7, 8 and 8A, in
another embodiment shown in FIG. 7, a V-shaped support member 56 is
attached to the first end 25 of the support rod 22. The support
member 56 may have a pair of arms 62, 64 defining a support surface
63 that supports the weapon 5. The support member 56 may also have
a cylindrical base 58 that attaches to the support rod 22 with
threads that are received with corresponding threads on the first
end 25 of the support rod 22. In one embodiment, the support member
56 is interchangeable with the ball joint mount 23 providing
flexibility. In still another embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 8A, a
quick attach member 66 may be used to provide a very quick method
of attaching and detaching the support rod 22. In one embodiment
the quick attach member 66 can be installed between the ball joint
mount 23 and the first end 25 of the support rod. The particular
design of the quick attach member 66 can be any chosen with sound
engineering judgment. For the embodiment shown, however, the quick
attach member 66 has a first end 68 that attaches to the second end
33 of the ball joint mount 23 and a second end 70 which attaches to
the first end 25 of the support rod 22. The quick attach member 66
may comprise a plug 72 and a socket 74. FIG. 8A shows an assembly
drawing of how the plug 72 and socket 74 may be designed. As the
operation of a quick attach member 66 is known in the art a
detailed description will not be provided here.
[0054] With reference now to FIGS. 1-2, 5 and 10, in another
embodiment, a mounting bracket 90 may be attached to the first
portion 17 of the main beam 15. The mounting bracket 90 may be
attached in any known manner. In one embodiment, the mounting
bracket 90 is attached to the main beam 15 by use of a screw 91
received in opening 89 having threads that are received in the
threads formed in the main beam 15 that are exposed when a sling
swivel stud 2 is removed. In one embodiment, the mounting bracket
has a first connection location 92 that connects to some portion of
the support rod 22 or a device connected to the support rod 22. The
first connection location 92 may, for example, have an opening 93
that receives the shaft 34 of the ball joint mount 23. In another
embodiment, the mounting bracket 90 has a second connection
location 94 also for use in connecting the support rod 22 to the
weapon 5. The second connection location 94 may have an opening 95
of the same size as the opening 93. In this case, the user has two
locations to choose from as to where to connect the support rod 22.
Additional connection locations could also be provided to supply
additional options for the user. In another embodiment, the second
opening 95 may have a substantially different size (depth and/or
diameter and/or shape, etc.) from the first opening 93. Different
diameters are shown in FIG. 10. In this case, the user can use one
of two different sized shafts 34; one for the first opening 93, and
another for the second opening 95.
[0055] With continuing reference to FIGS. 1-2, 5 and 10, in another
embodiment, the mounting bracket 90 may have a third connection
location 96 with an opening 97 adapted to receive the sling swivel
stud 2. This is especially useful if the sling swivel stud 2 was
removed in order to attach the mounting bracket 90 to the main beam
15. In still another embodiment, the mounting bracket 90 may have a
fourth connection location 98 with an opening 99 also adapted to
receive the sling swivel stud 2. In this case, the user has two
locations to choose from as to where to connect the sling swivel
stud 2. In another embodiment, the third and fourth connection
locations 96, 98 may be located on opposite sides of the mounting
bracket 90 at an angle, as shown. In this case, the sling swivel
stud 2 would extend at least partially to one side of the main beam
15 if it is positioned at the third connection location 96 and at
least partially to the opposite side of the main beam 15 if it is
positioned at the fourth connection location 98.
[0056] With reference now to FIGS. 1-6, a contact member 120 may be
attached to the second end 27 of the support rod 22. In one
embodiment, the contact member 120 has a hemispherical contact
surface 122. This hemispherical contact surface 122 serves two
important functions. First, it cushions the support rod 22 against
a user's body when the support rod 22 is in the first use position
shown in FIG. 3. The other function provided by the hemispherical
contact surface 122 is that it grips a ground surface 124 when the
support rod 22 is in the first use position shown in FIGS. 1 and 4.
In another embodiment, the contact member 120 is formed
substantially of an elastomeric material. This provides a soft
surface for supporting the support rod 22 against the midsection of
a user's body and good traction for gripping the ground surface
124. In another embodiment, the hemispherical contact surface 122
is provided using a spherical contact member 120, as shown. The
spherical contact member 120, in one embodiment, is formed
substantially of a rubber ball. In yet another embodiment, the
contact member 120 is selectively removable from the support rod
22. This is especially useful when the support rod 22 is being
converted from a two pole design to a three pole design, as
discussed above. In this case, the contact member 120 is removed
from the end of the two pole design and then attached to the end of
the third pole after it has been attached to the second pole as
shown in FIG. 6. Optionally, at least one spike member 125 may be
attached to and extend from the contact surface 122. One or more
spike members 125 improve the grip of the contact surface 122 when
the ground surface 124 is covered by rocks, snow or ice. The spike
member 125 may, in one embodiment, be formed substantially of
carbide.
[0057] With reference now to FIGS. 1-2 and 5, in another embodiment
the support rod 22 has a handgrip portion 39 adapted to receive a
user's hand in supporting the weapon 5 when shooting the weapon 5
when the support rod 22 is in the second stowed position. To add
comfort and additional gripability for the user, a resilient
material 38 may be applied to the outer surface of the handgrip
portion 39, as shown. The resilient material 38 can be any material
chosen with sound engineering judgment. In one embodiment, the
resilient material 38 is foam rubber.
[0058] With reference now to FIGS. 1-2, 5 and 9, as noted above the
support rod 22 is selectively positionable into a first use
position and a second stowed position. In one embodiment a securing
mechanism 130 can be used to selectively secure the support rod 22
to the main beam 15 when the support rod 22 is in the second stowed
position. The securing mechanism 130 may include a clip 132 having
a first end 134 attached to the main beam 15 and a second end 136
that releasably receives the second end 27 of the support rod 22.
The clip 132, in one embodiment shown, may be substantially
U-shaped having a mid-section 138 and a pair of legs 131, 133. The
mid-section 138 may be attached to the main beam 15 in any manner
chosen with sound engineering judgment. In one embodiment, the
mid-section 138 may receive a segment 139 of the main beam 15, as
shown. One convenient location for attaching the clip 22, where
applicable, is just below the opening 140 formed in the stock
member 16 behind the trigger mechanism 21. The legs 131, 133 may be
"spring-like," (resiliently deformable, in other words) so that
they hold the support rod 22 in the stowed position as long as
desired but they also fairly easily release the support rod 22 when
a user pulls the support rod 22 away from the main beam 15.
[0059] Various embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It
will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods
and apparatuses may incorporate changes and modifications without
departing from the general scope of this invention. It is intended
to include all such modifications and alterations in so far as they
come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents
thereof.
[0060] Having thus described the invention, it is now claimed:
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